Sex Billboard Directs Attention to Fla. Church

A mystery billboard perched above the intersection of a busy parkway is causing an uproar and raising eyebrows for a relationship-focused series of sermons beginning later this month.

The billboard, which contains simply drawn male and female figures for the website mycrappysexlife.com, is promoting a six-week seminar on relationships including sex, the single life, and pornography at Next Level Church in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Rev. Matt Keller, 31, said that the church is trying to grab the attention of the struggling community to let them know there is somebody out there thats willing to sit down and talk common sense to them, reported the News-Press news agency of Southwest Florida.

Popular cultures message on sex, Keller added, preaches quantity without consideration of consequences.

He said that the series is targeted at 20- and 30-somethings on how a Christian approach can enrich relationships and make them more fulfilling. Keller emphasized that sex is not something that was invented in a dark alley behind a porn shop, News-Press reported.

Many find the marketing strategy offensive, particularly for drivers and passer-bys.

Frankly Im kind of shocked that a church, a Christian church would have something like that up there, said driver Bill Staats, according to MSNBC. Staats commented on how people would find it crude to drive by and have their kids look at it.

Of course, our aim is not to offend anyone, Keller responded.

Next Level also plans to advertise with invitation cards, bumper stickers and yard signs bearing the Web address printed and also run advertisements in local magazines.

The series begins Feb. 25 and includes sermons titled The Best Sex Youll Ever Have, The Single Life, and The Truth about Men and Women.